IL SB1947

Expands the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board by adding 3 administrative or faculty members from public community colleges, and allows nonvoting ex officio members from the Board of Higher Education and Illinois Community College Board

Requires the State Superintendent of Education to incorporate testing on methods of instruction for exceptional children, reading methods, and instructional strategies for English learners into revised licensure examinations by July 1, 2027

Extends the teacher performance assessment pause through August 31, 2026, establishes a pilot program for a State-developed teacher performance assessment from September 2026-2029, and creates a Teacher Performance Assessment Advisory Committee to develop and monitor the pilot

Exempts applicants seeking school support personnel endorsements who hold valid professional licenses from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from content area testing requirements

Establishes a Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Program allowing paraprofessionals with at least 2 years of experience and 60 semester hours of coursework to pursue expedited pathways to a Professional Educator License in areas like elementary or special education